Poynton believes Derbyshire are on the up -both on and off the field

Wicketkeeper Tom Poynton is convinced that the new and improved training and playing facilities at The 3aaa County Ground will aid Derbyshire’s quest to compete at the highest level.

A million pound has been spent to upgrade facilities, part of which involves moving the players into the newly redeveloped Gateway Centre which has been transformed into the state-of-the-art Cricket Derbyshire Elite Performance Centre.

Poynton believes the new training and dressing room facilities will help Derbyshire attract more big names to the county after the signings of Shiv Thakor, Wayne White and Martin Guptill this winter.

“We are lucky to be developing a new cricket facility as the Cricket Derbyshire Elite Performance Centre,” Poynton said.

“We have got our changing rooms and gym facilities here so, from a player’s point of view, it’s going to be much more efficient. It’s fantastic for us to make the most of these good facilities.

“We are going to have our own pods in the changing room that the players can have their cricket bag and belongings, providing them with their own space to relax and psych themselves up. I’m excited to get in there now and get started.

“What we are doing here is not just about Derbyshire, it’s about setting a higher standard. We have fantastic ambition off and on the field and everybody really wants to make strides.

“The young, ambitious squad here are looking forward to winning Derbyshire silverware over the next few years,” Poynton added.

“We’ve been up to Division One and we know where we need to be to get back there and compete sustainably at that level.

“We are all proud to be associated with this environment. The facilities and atmosphere draw exciting players from elsewhere such as Shiv Thakor and Martin Guptill. You need to have these facilities to encourage them away from the bigger grounds.

“We need to get people down here to experience it. There can be a fantastic atmosphere here on a matchday and the experience is there to be had. That experience will only improve now.

“It’s hugely exciting and we hope that we will get a few new members that will fill the new facilities and support Derbyshire.

“Derbyshire are really here to compete now with all the big counties.”